Push-pull compressor having ultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a first piston and an opposing second piston, where the first and second pistons are configured to move inward to narrow a space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge the space therebetween. The apparatus also includes a first voice coil actuator having (i) a first voice coil connected to the first piston and (ii) a first magnet connected to the second piston. The apparatus may further include a second voice coil actuator having (i) a second voice coil connected to the second piston and (ii) a second magnet connected to the first piston. Each voice coil actuator may be configured to apply equal and opposite forces on or against the first and second pistons.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 as a continuationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/676,808 filed on Aug. 14, 2017.This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure is generally directed to compression and coolingsystems. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to a push-pullcompressor having ultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or othersystems.

BACKGROUND

Cryocoolers are often used to cool various components to extremely lowtemperatures. For example, cryocoolers can be used to cool focal planearrays in different space and airborne imaging systems. There arevarious types of cryocoolers having differing designs, such as pulsetube cryocoolers and Stirling cryocoolers.

Unfortunately, many cryocooler designs are inefficient and require largeamounts of power during operation. For instance, cryocoolers commonlyused to cool components in infrared sensors may require 20 watts ofinput power for each watt of heat lift at a temperature of 100 Kelvin.This is due in part to the inefficiency of compressor motors used in thecryocoolers. Compressor motors often convert only a small part of theirinput electrical energy into mechanical work, leading to poor overallcryocooler efficiency. While compressor motors could achieve higherefficiencies if operated over larger strokes, the achievable stroke in acryocooler can be limited by flexure or spring suspensions used with thecompressor motors.

Cryocooler compressors also often use two opposing pistons to providecompression, but these types of cryocoolers can have mismatches in theforces exerted by the opposing pistons. This leads to the generation ofnet exported forces. These exported forces could be due to variouscauses, such as mismatches in moving masses, misalignment, mismatchedflexure or spring resonances, and mismatched motor efficiencies. Theexported forces often need to be suppressed to prevent the forces fromdetrimentally affecting other components of the cryocoolers or othersystems. However, such suppression typically requires additionalcomponents, which increases the complexity, weight, and cost of thesystems.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides a push-pull compressor having ultra-highefficiency for cryocoolers or other systems.

In a first embodiment, an apparatus includes a first piston and anopposing second piston, where the first and second pistons areconfigured to move inward to narrow a space therebetween and to moveoutward to enlarge the space therebetween. The apparatus also includes afirst voice coil actuator having (i) a first voice coil connected to thefirst piston and (ii) a first magnet connected to the second piston.

In a second embodiment, a system includes a compressor configured tocompress a fluid. The compressor includes a first piston and an opposingsecond piston, where the first and second pistons are configured to moveinward to narrow a space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge thespace therebetween. The compressor also includes a first voice coilactuator having (i) a first voice coil connected to the first piston and(ii) a first magnet connected to the second piston.

In a third embodiment, a method includes coupling a first voice coil ofa first voice coil actuator to a first piston and coupling a firstmagnet of the first voice coil actuator to a second piston. The firstvoice coil actuator is configured to cause the first and second pistonsto move inward to narrow a space therebetween and to move outward toenlarge the space therebetween.

Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in theart from the following figures, descriptions, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is nowmade to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example push-pull compressor havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second example push-pull compressor havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third example push-pull compressor havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth example push-pull compressor havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example cryocooler having a push-pull compressorwith ultra-high efficiency according to this disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method for operating a push-pullcompressor having ultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systemsaccording to this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 6, described below, and the various embodiments used todescribe the principles of the present invention in this patent documentare by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any wayto limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art willunderstand that the principles of the present invention may beimplemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system.

As noted above, many cryocooler designs are inefficient and requirelarge amounts of power during operation, which is often due to theinefficiency of their compressor motors. Compressor motors are typicallyimplemented using a voice coil-type of linear motor in which a voicecoil is energized to create a varying electromagnetic field thatinteracts with a magnet. Various cryocoolers have been designed withdifferent configurations of linear bearings (often flexure bearings) andlinear voice coil actuators to improve compressor efficiencies, butthese approaches generally have one thing in common—they have actuatorsthat are configured to push or pull a piston relative to a fixedstructure. The compressor is configured so that a magnet moves with apiston and a voice coil is fixed to a base, or vice versa.

If reducing or minimizing exported forces is important, manufacturersalso often employ a load cell or accelerometer feedback, coupled withindependent amplifiers driving two motors that move opposing pistons.The amplifiers drive the motors, and the feedback is used toindividually control the amplifiers to reduce the exported forces from acompressor. However, this can add significant complexity, weight, andcost. In general, it is often accepted that compressor motors will notbe perfectly matched, so active techniques are employed to compensatefor mismatches in motor efficiencies and other mechanical tolerances. Inmost cases, these efforts still cannot drive the exported forcesresulting from piston movements down to zero, so there is a practicallimit to how low the exported forces can be reduced.

In accordance with this disclosure, compressor inefficiencies andexported forces can be reduced by configuring a compressor so that avoice coil actuator (having a magnet and a coil) pushes or pullscompressor pistons against each other, rather than pushing or pulling apiston against a fixed base. In these approaches, the magnet of thevoice coil actuator moves with one piston, and the voice coil of thevoice coil actuator moves with the other piston. It is also possible touse multiple voice coil actuators, where the magnets of differentactuators move with different pistons and the voice coils of differentactuators move with different pistons. Since each actuator is pushing orpulling both pistons, the associated masses, strokes, and suspensionresonances are matched, and the efficiency of the compressor isincreased. Also, the magnet-to-coil stroke is double the piston stroke.Further, the flexure or spring suspension stroke stays the same as thepiston stroke, which can be useful since the flexure or springsuspensions are often designed to their fatigue limits in cryocoolers.

These approaches can achieve dramatic improvements in compressorefficiencies because more mechanical work (possibly up to double themechanical work) is being performed by each actuator applying force totwo pistons rather than one. In some embodiments, this could reduceinput power requirements for a compressor by up to 30%, 40%, or evenmore. Because each actuator includes a voice coil coupled to one pistonand a magnet coupled to the other piston, this helps to passively reduceor eliminate exported forces. Passive reduction or elimination ofexported forces may mean that load cells, preamplifiers, vibrationcontrol hardware and software, and a second voice coil's amplifier canbe eliminated. This can significantly reduce the complexity, weight, andcost of the compressor and the overall system.

Voice coil force may be proportional to input current (Newtons/Amp) fora given actuator design, but as the actuator moves faster there is aback electro-motive force (EMF) generated proportional to velocity thatcuts the force exerted by the actuator. However, the actuators in acompressor can move over a relatively small stroke and not reach avelocity at which their efficiency drops significantly due to back EMF.In fact, due to the reciprocating motion of the pistons in a compressor,the velocity goes to zero at two points in every cycle, and this conceptto a first-order almost doubles the efficiency of the compressor.

There may also be a second-order drop off in efficiency over thepistons' stroke caused when a voice coil moves out of a concentratedelectromagnetic field, so actuators may need to be nominally designedfor double the stroke and would hence suffer some nominal drop inefficiency. Because an actuator magnet usually weighs much more than anactuator voice coil, some embodiments could be designed with two voicecoil actuators, where each of two pistons includes a magnet and a voicecoil from different actuators. This approach maintains symmetry and canhelp to keep the supported masses attached to the pistons the same,which can aid in balancing the dynamic behavior of the compressor. Bothactuators could be driven by a single amplifier, and passive exportedforce reduction or cancellation can still be achieved. Moreover, whenmultiple actuators are used, there is little or no need for the twoactuators' efficiencies to be matched to eliminate exported forces.

Depending on the implementation, a single actuator could be used to pushor pull pistons on opposite ends, and one or more transfer lines couldbe used to couple both compressors to a single expander or other device.Also, multiple actuators could be operated using the same amplifier, anda “trim coil” could be employed on one piston if ultra-low exportedforces is required.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first example push-pull compressor 100 havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure. A cryocooler generally represents a device that can coolother components to cryogenic temperatures or other extremely lowtemperatures, such as to about 4 Kelvin, about 10 Kelvin, or about 20Kelvin. A cryocooler typically operates by creating a flow of fluid(such as liquid or gas) back and forth within the cryocooler. Controlledexpansion and contraction of the fluid creates a desired cooling of oneor more components.

As shown in FIG. 1, the compressor 100 includes multiple pistons 102 and104, each of which moves back and forth. At least part of each piston102 and 104 resides within a cylinder 106, and the cylinder 106 includesa space 108 configured to receive a fluid. Each of the pistons 102 and104 moves or “strokes” back and forth during multiple compressioncycles, and the pistons 102 and 104 can move in opposite directionsduring the compression cycles so that the space 108 repeatedly getslarger and smaller.

Each piston 102 and 104 includes any suitable structure configured tomove back and forth to facilitate compression of a fluid. Each of thepistons 102 and 104 could have any suitable size, shape, and dimensions.Each of the pistons 102 and 104 could also be formed from any suitablematerials) and in any suitable manner. The cylinder 106 includes anysuitable structure configured to receive a fluid and to receive at leastportions of multiple pistons. The cylinder 106 could have any suitablesize, shape, and dimensions. The cylinder 106 could also be formed fromany suitable material(s) and in any suitable manner. Note that thepistons 102 and 104 and cylinder 106 may or may not have circularcross-sections. While not shown, a seal could be used between eachpiston 102 and 104 and the cylinder 106 to prevent fluid from leakingpast the pistons 102 and 104.

Various spring or flexure bearings 110 are used in the compressor 100 tosupport the pistons 102 and 104 and allow linear movement of the pistons102 and 104. A flexure bearing 110 typically represents a flat springthat is formed by a flat metal sheet having multiple sets of symmetricalarms coupling inner and outer hubs. The twisting of one arm in a set issubstantially counteracted by the twisting of the symmetrical arm inthat set. As a result, the flexure bearing 110 allows for linearmovement while substantially reducing rotational movement. Each springor flexure bearing 110 includes any suitable structure configured toallow linear movement of a piston. Each spring or flexure bearing 110could also be formed from any suitable material(s) and in any suitablemanner. Specific examples of flexure bearings are described in U.S. Pat.No. 9,285,073 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/426,451 (both ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety). Thespring or flexure bearings 110 are shown here as being couple to one ormore support structures 112, which denote any suitable structures on orto which the spring or flexure bearings could be mounted or otherwiseattached.

The operation of the pistons 102 and 104 causes repeated pressurechanges to the fluid within the space 108. In a cryocooler, at least onetransfer line 114 can transport the fluid to an expansion assembly,where the fluid is allowed to expand. As noted above, controlledexpansion and contraction of the fluid is used to create desired coolingin the cryocooler. Each transfer line 114 includes any suitablestructure allowing passage of a fluid. Each transfer line 114 could alsobe formed from any suitable material(s) and in any suitable manner.

At least one projection 116 extends from the piston 102, and one or moremagnets 118 are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to theprojection(s) 116. In some embodiments, a single projection 116 couldencircle the piston 102, and each magnet 118 may or may not encircle thepiston 102. These embodiments can be envisioned by taking the piston 102and the projection 116 in FIG. 1 and rotating them by 180° around thecentral axis of the piston 102. Note, however, that other embodimentscould also be used, such as when multiple projections 116 are arrangedaround the piston 102. Each projection 116 could have any suitable size,shape, and dimensions. Each projection 116 could also be formed from anysuitable material(s) and in any suitable manner. Each magnet 118represents any suitable magnetic material having any suitable size,shape, and dimensions.

At least one projection 120 extends from the piston 104, and one or morevoice coils 122 are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled tothe projection(s) 120. Again, in some embodiments, a single projection120 could encircle the piston 104, and each voice coil 122 may or maynot encircle the piston 104. These embodiments can be envisioned bytaking the piston 104 and the projection 120 in FIG. 1 and rotating themby 180° around the central axis of the piston 104. Note, however, thatother embodiments could also be used, such as when multiple projections120 are arranged around the piston 104. Each projection 120 could haveany suitable size, shape, and dimensions. Each projection 120 could alsobe formed from any suitable material(s) and in any suitable manner. Eachvoice coil 122 represents any suitable conductive structure configuredto create an electromagnetic field when energized, such as conductivewire wound on a bobbin.

The compressor 100 in FIG. 1 is positioned within a housing 124. Thehousing 124 represents a support structure to or in which the compressor100 is mounted. The housing 124 includes any suitable structure forencasing or otherwise protecting a cryocooler (or portion thereof). Thehousing 124 could also be formed from any suitable material(s) and inany suitable manner. In this example, one or more mounts 126 are used tocouple the cylinder 106 to the housing 124, and the mounts 126 includeopenings that allow passage of one or more of the projections from thepistons 102 and 104. Note, however, that other mechanisms could be usedto secure the compressor 100.

The magnet(s) 118 and the voice coil(s) 122 in FIG. 1 form a voice coilactuator that is used to move the pistons 102 and 104. Morespecifically, the voice coil 122 is used to create a varyingelectromagnetic field, which interacts with the magnet 118 and eitherattracts or repels the magnet 118. By energizing the voice coil 122appropriately, the electromagnetic field created by the voice coil 122repeatedly attracts and repels the magnet 118. This causes the pistons102 and 104 to repeatedly move towards each other and move away fromeach other during multiple compression cycles.

In this arrangement, the voice coil actuator pushes and pulls thepistons 102 and 104 against each other, instead of having multiple voicecoil actuators separately push and pull the pistons against a fixedstructure. Because of this, the voice coil actuator is applyingessentially equal and opposite forces against the pistons 102 and 104.As noted above, this can significantly increase the efficiency of thecompressor 100 and help to passively reduce or eliminate exported forcesfrom the compressor 100. Note that the pistons 102 and 104 can be pulledtowards each other so that their adjacent ends are very close to eachother (narrowing the space 108 to the maximum degree). The pistons 102and 104 can also be pushed away from each other so that their adjacentends are far away from each other (expanding the space 108 to themaximum degree). Repeatedly changing the pistons 102 and 104 betweenthese positions provides compression during multiple compression cycles.To help prolong use of the compressor 100 and prevent damage to thecompressor 100, the pistons 102 and 104 may not touch each other duringoperation.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, a resonance of the moving mass on oneside of the compressor 100 may or may not be precisely matched to aresonance of the moving mass on the other side of the compressor 100. Ifthe resonances are not precisely matched, this could lead to thecreation of exported forces. To help reduce or eliminate the exportedforces created in this manner, one or more of the pistons 102 and 104could include or be coupled to one or more trim weights 128. Each trimweight 128 adds mass to the piston 102 or 104, thereby changing theresonance of the moving mass on that side of the compressor 100. Forexample, a trim weight 128 could be added to the side of the compressor100 that resonates at a higher frequency compared to the other side ofthe compressor 100. This helps with tuning and optimizing of the passiveload cancellation. Each trim weight 128 includes any suitable structurefor adding mass to one side of a compressor. A trim weight 128 could beused on a single side of the compressor 100, or trim weights 128 couldbe used on both sides of the compressor 100.

Note that the various forms of the structures shown in FIG. 1 are forillustration only and that other forms for these structures could beused. For example, the extreme outer portion(s) of the projection 116could be omitted so that the projection 116 only extends from the piston102 to the magnet 118. As another example, the voice coil 122 could bepositioned inward of the magnet 118 instead of outward from the magnet118. As still another example, each trim weight 128 could be designed tofit within a recess of the associated piston. Also note that differentnumbers and arrangements of various components in FIG. 1 could be used.For instance, a single magnet 118 could be used, or the spring orflexure bearings 110 could be placed in a different arrangement orchanged in number. In addition, the relative sizes and dimensions of thecomponents with respect to one another could be varied as needed ordesired.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second example push-pull compressor 200 havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor 200 includes pistons 202and 204, a cylinder 206 including a space 208 for fluid, spring orflexure bearings 210, one or more support structures 212, and at leastone transfer line 214. The compressor 200 also includes a housing 224,one or more mounts 226, and optionally one or more trim weights 228.These components could be the same as or similar to correspondingcomponents in the compressor 100 of FIG. 1.

Unlike the compressor 100 in FIG. 1, the compressor 200 in FIG. 2includes multiple voice coil actuators having magnets and voice coilscoupled to different pistons. In particular, a first voice coil actuatorincludes one or more magnets 218 a that are embedded within, mounted on,or otherwise coupled to one or more projections 216 attached to thepiston 202. The first voice coil actuator also includes one or morevoice coils 222 b that are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwisecoupled to one or more projections 220 attached to the piston 204.Similarly, a second voice coil actuator includes one or more magnets 218b that are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to theprojection(s) 220. The second voice coil actuator also includes one ormore voice coils 222 a that are embedded within, mounted on, orotherwise coupled to the projection(s) 216.

By energizing the voice coil 222 a appropriately, the electromagneticfield created by the voice coil 222 a repeatedly attracts and repels themagnet 218 b. Similarly, by energizing the voice coil 222 bappropriately, the electromagnetic field created by the voice coil 222 brepeatedly attracts and repels the magnet 218 a. This causes the pistons202 and 204 to repeatedly move towards each other and move away fromeach other during multiple compression cycles.

In this arrangement, the multiple voice coil actuators push and pull thepistons 202 and 204 against each other, instead of having multiple voicecoil actuators separately push and pull one of the pistons against afixed structure. Because of this, the voice coil actuators are applyingessentially equal and opposite forces against the pistons 202 and 204.As noted above, this can significantly increase the efficiency of thecompressor 200 and help to passively reduce or eliminate exported forcesfrom the compressor 200. Moreover, this design maintains symmetry, andboth actuators could be driven by a single amplifier. In addition, thereis little or no need for the two actuators' efficiencies to be matchedto eliminate exported forces.

Note that the various forms of the structures shown in FIG. 2 are forillustration only and that other forms for these structures could beused. For example, the extreme outer portions of the projections 216 and220 could be straight. As another example, the voice coils 222 a and 222b could be positioned inward of the magnets 218 a and 218 b instead ofoutward from the magnets 218 a and 218 b. As still another example, eachtrim weight 228 could be designed to fit within a recess of theassociated piston. Also note that different numbers and arrangements ofvarious components in FIG. 2 could be used. For instance, a singlemagnet 218 could be used in each projection, or the spring or flexurebearings 210 could be placed in a different arrangement or changed innumber. In addition, the relative sizes and dimensions of the componentswith respect to one another could be varied as needed or desired.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third example push-pull compressor 300 havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the compressor 300 includes pistons 302and 304, a cylinder 306 including a space 308 for fluid, spring orflexure bearings 310, one or more support structures 312, and at leastone transfer line 314. The compressor 300 also includes a housing 324,one or more mounts 326, and optionally one or more trim weights 328.These components could be the same as or similar to correspondingcomponents in the compressors 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

A voice coil actuator in FIG. 3 includes one or more magnets 318 and oneor more voice coils 322. In this example, however, the one or moremagnets 318 are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to thepiston 302 itself, rather than to a projection extending from the piston302. The one or more voice coils 322 are embedded within, mounted on, orotherwise coupled to one or more projections 320 attached to the piston304.

By energizing the voice coil 322 appropriately, the electromagneticfield created by the voice coil 322 repeatedly attracts and repels themagnet 318. This causes the pistons 302 and 304 to repeatedly movetowards each other and move away from each other during multiplecompression cycles.

In this arrangement, the voice coil actuator pushes and pulls thepistons 302 and 304 against each other, instead of against a fixedstructure. Because of this, the voice coil actuator is applyingessentially equal and opposite forces against the pistons 302 and 304.As noted above, this can significantly increase the efficiency of thecompressor 300 and help to passively reduce or eliminate exported forcesfrom the compressor 300.

Note that the various forms of the structures shown in FIG. 3 are forillustration only and that other forms for these structures could beused. For example, the voice coil 322 could be positioned inward of themagnet 318 instead of outward from the magnet 318. As another example,each trim weight 328 could be designed to fit within a recess of theassociated piston. Also note that different numbers and arrangements ofvarious components in FIG. 3 could be used. For instance, a singlemagnet 318 could be used in the piston 302, or the spring or flexurebearings 310 could be placed in a different arrangement or changed innumber. In addition, the relative sizes and dimensions of the componentswith respect to one another could be varied as needed or desired.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth example push-pull compressor 400 havingultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems according to thisdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the compressor 400 includes pistons 402and 404, a cylinder 406 including a space 408 for fluid, spring orflexure bearings 410, one or more support structures 412, and at leastone transfer line 414. The compressor 400 also includes a housing 424,one or more mounts 426, and optionally one or more trim weights 428.These components could be the same as or similar to correspondingcomponents in any of the compressors described above.

Unlike the compressor 300 in FIG. 3, the compressor 400 in FIG. 4includes multiple voice coil actuators having magnets and voice coilsembedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to different pistons.In particular, a first voice coil actuator includes one or more magnets418 a that are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to thepiston 402. The first voice coil actuator also includes one or morevoice coils 422 b that are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwisecoupled to one or more projections 420 attached to the piston 404.Similarly, a second voice coil actuator includes one or more magnets 418b that are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwise coupled to thepiston 404. The second voice coil actuator also includes one or morevoice coils 422 a that are embedded within, mounted on, or otherwisecoupled to one or more projections 416 attached to the piston 402.

By energizing the voice coil 422 a appropriately, the electromagneticfield created by the voice coil 422 a repeatedly attracts and repels themagnet 418 b. Similarly, by energizing the voice coil 422 bappropriately, the electromagnetic field created by the voice coil 422 brepeatedly attracts and repels the magnet 418 a. This causes the pistons402 and 404 to repeatedly move towards each other and move away fromeach other during multiple compression cycles.

In this arrangement, the multiple voice coil actuators push and pull thepistons 402 and 404 against each other, instead of having multiple voicecoil actuators separately push and pull one of the pistons against afixed structure. Because of this, the voice coil actuators are applyingessentially equal and opposite forces against the pistons 402 and 404.As noted above, this can significantly increase the efficiency of thecompressor 400 and help to passively reduce or eliminate exported forcesfrom the compressor 400. Moreover, this design maintains symmetry, andboth actuators could be driven by a single amplifier. In addition, thereis little or no need for the two actuators' efficiencies to be matchedto eliminate exported forces.

Note that the various forms of the structures shown in FIG. 4 are forillustration only and that other forms for these structures could beused. For example, the voice coils 422 a and 422 b could be positionedinward of the magnets 418 a and 418 b instead of outward from themagnets 418 a and 418 b. As another example, each trim weight 428 couldbe designed to fit within a recess of the associated piston. Also notethat different numbers and arrangements of various components in FIG. 4could be used. For instance, a single magnet 418 could be used in eachpiston, or the spring or flexure bearings 410 could be placed in adifferent arrangement or changed in number. In addition, the relativesizes and dimensions of the components with respect to one another couldbe varied as needed or desired.

Although FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate examples of push-pull compressorshaving ultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systems, variouschanges may be made to FIGS. 1 through 4. For example, the variousapproaches shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 could be combined in various ways,such as when a voice coil actuator includes magnets embedded within,mounted on, or otherwise coupled to both a projection from a piston andthe piston itself. Also, it may be possible depending on theimplementation to reverse the magnets and voice coils. For instance, oneor more voice coils could be embedded within, mounted on, or otherwisecoupled to the pistons themselves and used with magnets embedded within,mounted on, or otherwise coupled to projections from the pistons. Ingeneral, there are a wide variety of designs for compressors in whichvoice coils and magnets can be used so that voice coil actuators causepistons to push and pull against each other.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example cryocooler 500 having a push-pullcompressor with ultra-high efficiency according to this disclosure. Asshown in FIG. 5, the cryocooler 500 includes a dual-piston compressor502 and a pulse tube expander 504. The dual-piston compressor 502 couldrepresent any of the compressors 100, 200, 300, 400 described above. Thedual-piston compressor 502 could also represent any other suitablecompressor having multiple pistons and one or more voice coil actuatorsused to cause the pistons to push and pull against each other.

The pulse tube expander 504 receives compressed fluid from thecompressor 502 via one or more transfer lines 506. The pulse tubeexpander 504 allows the compressed fluid to expand and provide coolingat a cold tip 508 of the pulse tube expander 504. In particular, thecold tip 508 is in fluid communication with the compressor 502. As thepistons in the compressor 502 move back and forth, fluid is alternatelypushed into the cold tip 508 (increasing the pressure within the coldtip 508) and allowed to exit the cold tip 508 (decreasing the pressurewithin the cold tip 508). This back and forth motion of the fluid, alongwith controlled expansion and contraction of the fluid as a result ofthe changing pressure, creates cooling in the cold tip 508. The cold tip508 can therefore be thermally coupled to a device or system to becooled. A specific type of cryocooler implemented in this manner isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,551,513 (which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety).

Although FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a cryocooler 500 having apush-pull compressor with ultra-high efficiency, various changes may bemade to FIG. 5. For example, cryocoolers using a push-pull compressorcould be implemented in various other ways. Also, the compressorsdescribed in this patent document could be used for other purposes.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 for operating a push-pullcompressor having ultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers or other systemsaccording to this disclosure. For ease of explanation, the method 600 isdescribed with respect to the compressors 100, 200, 300, 400 shown inFIGS. 1 through 4. However, the method 600 could be used with anysuitable compressor having multiple pistons and one or more voice coilactuators that cause the pistons to push and pull against each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, one or more voice coils of one or more voice coilactuators of a compressor are energized at step 602. This could include,for example, an amplifier providing one or more electrical signals toone or more of the voice coils 122, 222 a-222 b, 322, 422 a-422 b. Theone or more electrical signals cause the voice coil(s) to generate oneor more electromagnetic fields. This attracts one or more magnets of thevoice coil actuator(s) at step 604, which pulls pistons of thecompressor together at step 606. This could include, for example, theelectromagnetic field(s) generated by the voice coil(s) magneticallyattracting one or more magnets 118, 218 a-218 b, 318, 418 a-418 b.Because the voice coil(s) and the magnet(s) are connected to differentpistons 102-104, 202-204, 302-304, 402-404 (either directly orindirectly via a projection), the magnetic attraction causes bothpistons to move inward towards each other.

The one or more voice coils of the one or more voice coil actuators ofthe compressor are again energized at step 608. This could include, forexample, the amplifier providing one or more additional electricalsignals to the one or more voice coils 122, 222 a-222 b, 322, 422 a-422b. The one or more additional electrical signals cause the voice coil(s)to generate one or more additional electromagnetic fields. This repelsthe magnet(s) of the voice coil actuator(s) at step 610, which pushesthe pistons of the compressor apart at step 612. This could include, forexample, the electromagnetic field(s) generated by the voice coil(s)magnetically repelling the magnet(s) 118, 218 a-218 b, 318, 418 a-418 b.Because the voice coil(s) and the magnet(s) are connected to differentpistons 102-104, 202-204, 302-304, 402-404 (either directly orindirectly via a projection), the magnetic repelling causes both pistonsto move outward away from each other.

By repeating the method 600 multiple times, multiple compression cyclescan occur, each involving one movement of the compressor pistons inwardand one movement of the compressor pistons outward. The number ofcompression cycles in a given time period can be controlled, such as bycontrolling the driving of the voice coil actuators. As described indetail above, because each voice coil actuator has a magnet that moveswith one piston and a voice coil that moves with another piston, theefficiency of the compressor can be significantly increased, and theexported forces from the compressor can be significantly decreased.

Although FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a method 600 for operating apush-pull compressor having ultra-high efficiency for cryocoolers orother systems, various changes may be made to FIG. 6. For example, whileshown as a series of steps, various steps in FIG. 6 could overlap, occurin parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.As a particular example, steps 602-606 could generally overlap with oneanother, and steps 608-612 could generally overlap with one another.

In some embodiments, various functions described in this patent documentare implemented or supported by a computer program that is formed fromcomputer readable program code and that is embodied in a computerreadable medium. The phrase “computer readable program code” includesany type of computer code, including source code, object code, andexecutable code. The phrase “computer readable medium” includes any typeof medium capable of being accessed by a computer, such as read onlymemory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive, a compactdisc (CD), a digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A“non-transitory” computer readable medium excludes wired, wireless,optical, or other communication links that transport transitoryelectrical or other signals. A non-transitory computer readable mediumincludes media where data can be permanently stored and media where datacan be stored and later overwritten, such as a rewritable optical discor an erasable memory device.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document. The terms “application”and “program” refer to one or more computer programs, softwarecomponents, sets of instructions, procedures, functions, objects,classes, instances, related data, or a portion thereof adapted forimplementation in a suitable computer code (including source code,object code, or executable code). The term “communicate,” as well asderivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirect communication.The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, meaninclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaningand/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well as derivatives thereof,may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, becontained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicablewith, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be boundto or with, have, have a property of, have a relationship to or with, orthe like. The phrase “at least one of,” when used with a list of items,means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items maybe used, and only one item in the list may be needed. For example, “atleast one of: A, B, and C” includes any of the following combinations:A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

The description in the present application should not be read asimplying that any particular element, step, or function is an essentialor critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scopeof patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims.Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect toany of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words“means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim,followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of termssuch as (but not limited to) “mechanism,” “module,” “device,” “unit,”“component,” “element,” “member,” “apparatus,” “machine,” “system,”“processor,” or “controller” within a claim is understood and intendedto refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, asfurther modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves,and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generallyassociated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodimentsand methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly,the above description of example embodiments does not define orconstrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterationsare also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of thisdisclosure, as defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a first piston and anopposing second piston, the first and second pistons configured to moveinward to narrow a space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge thespace therebetween; and a first voice coil actuator comprising (i) afirst voice coil connected to the first piston and (ii) a first magnetconnected to the second piston.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst voice coil is configured to generate a varying electromagneticfield that repeatedly attracts and repels the first magnet.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first voice coil actuator isconfigured to apply equal and opposite forces on or against the firstand second pistons.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: asecond voice coil actuator comprising (i) a second voice coil connectedto the second piston and (ii) a second magnet connected to the firstpiston.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second voice coil isconfigured to generate a varying electromagnetic field that repeatedlyattracts and repels the second magnet.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4,wherein the second voice coil actuator is configured to apply equal andopposite forces on or against the first and second pistons.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least one trim weightcoupled to one or more of the first and second pistons, each trim weightconfigured to change a resonance of a total mass of one side of theapparatus.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: at least onefirst spring or flexure bearing configured to support and allow linearmovement of the first piston; and at least one second spring or flexurebearing configured to support and allow linear movement of the secondpiston.
 9. A system comprising: a compressor configured to compress afluid, wherein the compressor comprises: a first piston and an opposingsecond piston, the first and second pistons configured to move inward tonarrow a space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge the spacetherebetween; and a first voice coil actuator comprising (i) a firstvoice coil connected to the first piston and (ii) a first magnetconnected to the second piston.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein thefirst voice coil is configured to generate a varying electromagneticfield that repeatedly attracts and repels the first magnet.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the first voice coil actuator is configuredto apply equal and opposite forces on or against the first and secondpistons.
 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the compressor furthercomprises: a second voice coil actuator comprising (i) a second voicecoil connected to the second piston and (ii) a second magnet connectedto the first piston.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the secondvoice coil is configured to generate a varying electromagnetic fieldthat repeatedly attracts and repels the second magnet.
 14. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the second voice coil actuator is configured to applyequal and opposite forces on or against the first and second pistons.15. The system of claim 9, wherein the compressor further comprises: atleast one trim weight coupled to one or more of the first and secondpistons, each trim weight configured to change a resonance of a totalmass of one side of the compressor.
 16. The system of claim 9, whereinthe compressor further comprises: at least one first spring or flexurebearing configured to support and allow linear movement of the firstpiston; and at least one second spring or flexure bearing configured tosupport and allow linear movement of the second piston.
 17. The systemof claim 9, further comprising: an expander configured to allow thecompressed fluid to expand and generate cooling.
 18. A methodcomprising: coupling a first voice coil of a first voice coil actuatorto a first piston; and coupling a first magnet of the first voice coilactuator to a second piston; wherein the first voice coil actuator isconfigured to cause the first and second pistons to move inward tonarrow a space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge the spacetherebetween.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: coupling asecond voice coil of a second voice coil actuator to the second piston;and coupling a second magnet of the second voice coil actuator to thefirst piston; wherein the first and second voice coil actuators areconfigured to cause the first and second pistons to move inward tonarrow the space therebetween and to move outward to enlarge the spacetherebetween.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: couplingat least one trim weight to one or more of the first and second pistons,each trim weight changing a resonance of a total mass of one side of anapparatus that includes the first and second pistons.